The first Friday of November is the official Texas State Arbor Day. Fall is the best time to plant new trees because the cooler weather and rain in the winter promote root growth during the dormant season. Trees use a lot of energy to put on leaves in the spring and survive the stress of the warm summer months, so they benefit a lot from the extra time to establish a root system in the winter.
If you are thinking about planting trees this month, you need to know some important things about properly planting your tree. You can do everything right in caring for your tree, but improper planting will set you up for heartache.
Pick a site in full sun with enough space for the tree to grow. Look up the mature height of your selected tree variety to see how big it will get eventually. Do you have enough space in your lawn? Are there powerlines or buildings nearby that will eventually cause problems for the tree?
Trees are sold in containers or as bare-root stock. Dig your hole three times as wide as the container or root ball, but only dig it as deep as the container. You need to be very careful that your tree is not planted too deeply or too shallow. Roots require oxygen to grow, and they cannot get oxygen if there is too much soil over the roots. Sometimes in containers, there can be as much as four to six inches of soil above the root flare, the point where the top-most root emerges from the trunk. Remove the extra soil and plant the tree so the root flare is level with the ground.
If the roots are growing in a circle in the pot, cut the roots and spread them out. If you don’t cut circling roots, they will continue to grow in a circle instead of spreading out into the soil. Circling roots can eventually girdle and kill a tree.
After you put your tree into the hole, use the original soil to fill the hole back. It’s tempting to add compost, potting soil, or peat moss to give the tree a boost, but do not even think about it! The tree roots need to expand into the soil and grow out, and they will not do that if you create a “pot” for them in the ground with compost or potting soil.
Water thoroughly to help the soil settle and remove air pockets. Water every day for the first week, then every other day for the second week. During week three, water every two or three days, and beyond that water once a week for the next few months. Remember, this is just a guideline, and you need to consider your soil conditions and weather. Use your finger to check the first inch of soil, and water if it feels dry. Add a three-inch-deep layer of mulch around the tree to help keep the soil moist and regulate soil temperature. Extend the mulch two or three feet out from the trunk but be careful not to pile it against the trunk where it will trap moisture.
For more information about tree planting and care, contact Kate Whitney, Williamson County Horticulture Extension Agent, at 512-943-3300.
